July 30, 2015

DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE

As Spy Vibe tends to spotlight imagination, technology, and design from the Cold War, it is not unusual to see characters from the Sci-Fi realm lurking here in the shadows. And from his dealings with diabolical megalomaniacs (Enemy of the World) and his work with UNIT and use of Bond-like gadgets in the early 1970s, Doctor Who is a reader favorite! I recently had a chance to photograph the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, which featured 50 years of costumes, props, and sets. Putting aside my inner-child for the moment (who was absolutely thrilled, by the way!), I can report that the series is indeed bigger on the inside. My visit to the Experience began with a fun interactive adventure led by an actress, who took the group through various sets, where The Doctor communicated via video link and his gallery of rogues circled in for the kill. Fans of the contemporary series got to see familiar foes, such as Daleks and Weeping Angels. I wasn't expecting an invitation to play-act, but it was quite fun running through the scenario and the sets were fantastic. Once the tour portion of the visit was over, I was then free to wander through five decades of screen artifacts and treasures. Most of the displays focused on costumes, props, and set interiors, but they were smart to also include a large area devoted to the BBC Radiophonic Workshop wizards who conjured up all those great atmospheric sounds and musical scores. Encapsulating Cold War elements from the show's design history, the exhibit included a number of early-style Tardis interiors, with their focus on minimal futurism and geometric shapes. The Cybermen, one of my favorite Who villains, were well represented in a timeline of design evolution. Although the Cybermen have become more beefy and metallic in recent years, their basic form still harkens back to those wonderful, silver Gemini space suits of the early 1960s. The Doctor Who Experience presented a massive archive of costumes, and a great highlight was photographing the collection of outfits worn by each of the doctors. Seeing them displayed in a line, one couldn't help but pick up on the Edwardian tradition of the dandy gentleman as a counterbalance to the show's themes of adventure and cutting-edge technology. Doctor Who was not alone in this 1960s trend, as we saw a rash of dandy heroes in The Avengers, Adam Adamant Lives, and in films like The Assassination Bureau. As a character designed initially to entertain and educate children about history, his costumes have served to root us in a gentler image from our own past, where eccentric Willy Wonka-like uncles feed us jelly babies and foil fiendish plots devised by dastardly evil-doers. As a professional photographer, I always try to convey mood and narrative in my images (in this case, taken with iPhone 6 with only minor editing). Below: details of most of the Doctor costumes, as well as Tardis interiors, an original set model, plus Cybermen and assorted creatures. One of my faves are the Ice Warriors (brought back recently in "Cold War" 2013). The yellow Edwardian car was the gadget-filled motor featured mainly in the third Doctor's era portrayed by John Pertwee. Bessie, as it was called, included an anti-theft force field, remote control, and hyperdrive with inertia absorption. The Doctor Who Experience was a great thrill and I encourage readers to make the pilgrimage. I liked it so much, in fact, that I can imagine relocating and devoting my talents to furthering the cause. Wales is lovely. I invite serious job offers! My photo series concludes with an image of the great Tom Baker (my childhood Doctor) captured serendipitously in the train back to London, and a self-portrait of your humble Spy Vibe host with Cybermen (auditioning for The Master?). Your guide to the original Doctors costumes: William Hartnell (1963-1966), Patrick Troughton (1966-1969), John Pertwee (1970-1974), Tom Baker (1974-1981), Peter Davison (1981-1984), Sylvester McCoy (1987-1989), Paul McGann (1996), Christopher Eccelston (2005), David Tennant (2005-2010), Matt Smith (2010-2013). The new season of Doctor Who begins on September 19th (look out for a 3D preview screening offered by Fathom Events). Inquiries about these Photograph prints can be made to spyvibe[at]gmail.com. More info about Photographer/Writer Jason Whiton here. Enjoy!

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Secret agents, bachelor pads, and mini skirts! This is Spy Vibe, where the baby boom, the space race, and the cold war influenced style in the world of fashion, film, design, music, and beyond. Welcome to the secret lair of well-dressed mystery & adventure, and Sixties culture- then & now. Over two-million visitors!

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Jason Whiton

Jason Whiton is an award-winning writer, artist, educator, and the creator of Spy Vibe, a website devoted to Cold War design and pop culture that has seen nearly three-million visitors. His publications include Rolling Stone, USA Weekend, & Mort Walker Conversations. His book Spy Vibe will be released in 2017. Whiton's work as a screenwriter and filmmaker has been recognized by the Nicholl Fellowships (Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences), PBS, and major film festivals and museums. His most recent piece is a music re-mix and award-winning film for Yoko Ono. Whiton's spy novel about a 1960s fashion model, MIKI ZERO, is out with agents. The story is inspired by his passion for Ian Fleming and the culture of Japan, where he lived for many years.
Jason loves creative projects & collaborations, and he enjoys helping young people to explore their lives as artists. He teaches Art in San Francisco.